MedakaFest 2026 Medaka Showcase
Official Guidelines
1Purpose
2Host & Contact
3Date & Venue
4Eligibility
5Contest Categories
| Code | Category | Description |
|---|
6Free to Enter
There is no participation fee and no category fee. The Medaka Showcase is completely free and open to everyone.
7How to Enter
There are two ways to enter, both free. You'll create a quick MedakaFest account (just your name and email), the same account you use to vote for People's Choice.
Two deadlines: registration for fish shown in person closes 5 days before the festival (so we can finalize the display and entry count), while online photo entries stay open until the day before the event.
8How Entries Are Displayed & Judged
Online (off-site) entries: you sign in and upload one clear, high-resolution photo of your fish; your photo is displayed for everyone to see and your entry competes for the People's Choice award for online entries (the judging panel scores the fish shown in person). One entry per person.
Entering in person: register in advance on the Showcase page (your anonymous entry number is assigned right away), then bring your fish on event day: Your fish is displayed at the showcase and the judges score the physical fish.
9Judging Method
10Judging Criteria & Scoring
Class-specific standards
Tiebreaker:
Disqualification & removal:
11Awards
12Schedule
13Voting, Accounts & Privacy
The two People's Choice awards are decided by public vote: one for the fish shown at the festival and one for the online entries. Everyone gets two votes, one in each group. Voting is free but requires a quick MedakaFest account so that each group is one person, one vote, changeable until voting closes. At the festival, scan the QR code at any showcase table to sign in and vote in seconds.
When you create an account you may opt in to receive MedakaFest news and updates by email. We use your name and email only to run the event and, if you opt in, to send occasional medaka news. We do not sell your information. Entrant identities are kept private: judges and the public only ever see the anonymous entry number.